Platinumfungi aka Ryan Fitzpatrick is at it again with his crafting/modding/hacking skills.

A self-described “long-time fan of Metroid”, Fitzpatrick put together a Metroid hatchling, which he’s put into a containment canister made to look worn and battle-damaged, as one would expect from Samus Aran’s profession as a mercenary and bounty hunter who finds herself in all sorts of battle situations.

“Clean and pristine just don’t seem fitting for someone battling monstrous aliens and dodging laser fire 24/7,” he wrote on his blog.

The piece itself is a “mixed-media” production with plastics, clay, metal, paint, and markers. Like some of his other work, Fitzpatrick intends to put together a DIY guide so you can make your very own Metroid-in-a-canister.

Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the Metroid franchise, and with it came “Harmony of a Hunter,” a free batch of fan-recorded takes on the series’ various soundtracks. And it was pretty spectacular.

But it wasn’t as good as this: a new version of “Harmony of the Hunter” released this year that’s expanded, and yet, just as free, called “Harmony of a Hunter: 101% Run.”

The project was spearheaded by Metroid fan community site Shinesparkers, features 39 tracks spread over three “discs,” and is the work of more than 30 musicians, all laboring out of a love of Metroid. You can read a little more about the soundtrack and download it here. There’s also a trailer embedded below.

There hasn’t been much in the way of fanfare or even a courteous nod in the direction of Samus Aran and her space pirate-blasting exploits. The universe could have been overrun by the metroid menace by now if it wasn’t for her, but Nintendo doesn’t care. Fortunately, there are fans who do. Talented, musically enabled fans.

Such is the story of Metroid: Harmony of a Hunter, a recast soundtrack of Metroid music spanning from the NES era all the way to Metroid: Other M. It’s got a variety of artists behind it and a range of musical genres are represented, from chiptunes to metal, electronica and even a little folk. I think I heard an accordion in there.

Pop on over the Shinesparkers.net and download the soundtrack right now. You can also order a hard copy of the album for a donation of about $10 to cover the shipping costs.

If you’re among the few suckers early adopting enthusiasts who purchased your Nintendo 3DS before they announced the steep price drop, the day Nintendo makes good on their meek apologies has finally arrived. At midnight this morning, the 3DS Ambassador program went live. That means – if you activated your membership in the ambassador program by visiting eShop at least once – you now have access to 10 free original NES games.

Naturally, Nintendo has made the process as convoluted as possible. To download your free games, login to eShop, scroll to the left and select the “Settings/Other” button. Now choose the “Your Downloads” button. Here, below the games and applications you’ve already downloaded, you’ll see the 10 free games listed nonchalantly, as if they’ve just kind of always been there hanging out and stuff. Click the ‘redownload’ next to each of them and you’ll be on your way to recreating the thrilling, fast paced gaming experience of 1988.

]]>http://www.gamefront.com/the-nintendo-3ds-ambassador/feed/1The Greatest Boobs In Video Game History (Gallery)http://www.gamefront.com/the-greatest-boobs-in-video-game-history-gallery/
http://www.gamefront.com/the-greatest-boobs-in-video-game-history-gallery/#commentsThu, 05 May 2011 21:08:59 +0000GameFront Staffhttp://www.gamefront.com/?p=97486Video games don’t have the greatest history of pandering to the tastes of women. That’s probably because so many game devs are frustrated nerdy dudes working out their own issues via XML. This explains why so many female game protagonists are smoking hot redheads who want to hook up with the nerdiest NPC in the game. It also explains why women in video games tend to be… busty.
For more cheats, easter eggs, secrets and video guides download Game Front’s video walkthrough apps.Video Walkthroughs app on iOSVideo Walkthroughs app on Android

Think we’re kidding? Go to your cabinet now and pick a game. Any game. Fact is, just like how every technological advance is popularized by porn, every step in the evolution of gaming is marked by the diligence of programmers with the sexual maturity of 12 year old boys, working day and night to put breasts into games whether they need to be there or not.

Sexist? Often. Sleazy? Probably. But it’s possible that the insistence on increasingly realistic breasts in games helped usher in the more adult themes we’ve come to take for granted in gaming over the decades. Or at least we’re telling ourselves that to assuage our guilt. Here are the 40 greatest boobs in video game history.

40) Samus Aran

This was the reward you got for beating 1986′s Metroid in record time. Nowadays it would be ‘Achievement unlocked: basement dweller!’

39) Eve from Leisure Suit Larry

Eve is who you got to hot tub with in 1987, when you beat Leisure Suit Larry. It’s primitive, but in the 80s people could only see in 8 bits and 4 colors.

38) Felicia (Darkstalkers version, 1994)

By the early 90s it got a lot easier to pander. Witness the birth of cosplay.

37) Morrigan (Darkstalkers version, 1994)

Yeah, there’s a reason 12 year olds packed arcades into the late 90s. Now soliciting joystick puns.

36) Sarah Morrison from Tabula Rasa

Remember what we said earlier about redheads? Here’s your proof.

35) Joanna Dark from Perfect Dark

The thing is, Joanna never does this in the game. She’s too busy breaking and entering and killing Datadyne honchos to seduce anyone.

34) Lara Croft from Tomb Raider

If video games had a ‘jiggle’ era, it was almost certainly initiated with Tomb Raider. I also blame this game for the popularity of Daisy Dukes.

33) Andariel from Diablo 2

Speaking of redheads, what is it with fantasy games and demons with human breasts? I’m pretty sure demons aren’t mammals.

32) Sonya Blade from Mortal Kombat

After Mortal Kombat, fighting game makers decided large, barely-covered breasts were the best defense in a fight. This sounds like bad advice for real life. Unless guys want to try using their nuts as a shield.

31) Mileena from Mortal Kombat

When you play Mortal Kombat, you’re going see some cleavage. It’s in the company handbook.

30) Kitana from Mortal Kombat

You’ll also see sideboob. No it doesn’t make any sense to us either.

29) Ivy Valentine from the Soulcalibur series

Soulcalibur saw Mortal Kombat’s ante and raised it considerably. Where Mortal Kombat had unrealistic scantily clad-ness, Soulcalibur had… well, gratuitous and unnecessary are words that come to mind. Note that Ivy’s weapon of choice is a whip with blades on it. And a bikini. There’s Christian subtext, I’m sure of it.

28) Taki from the Soulcalibur series

Two questions: 1) how is that outfit so form fitting?; 2) No seriously, how do you make navel-conforming cloth?

27) Seong Mi-Na from the Soulcalibur series

Judging by her outfit, Seong Mi-Na clearly went to the Miss Manners fetish academy for creepy western men.

26) Sophitia from the Soulcalibur series

Ok, now they’re just pandering. Come on guys.

25) Cassandra from the Soulcalibur series

At least her bustier straps are leather. That’s a little actual support. Because overflow is a problem and really, underwire is bad for working out. And I’m sure that’s exactly what the devs were thinkings.

24) Anna Williams from Tekken

You’d never know it but she’s the world’s oldest woman. The secret is competing in The King of Iron Fist Tournament, and pandering to desperate nerds.

23) Michelle Change from Tekken

Tekken is the king of weird fetish fuel. Michelle here is wearing a bikini and an Indian headdress. She’s at the Tekken tournament because she got lost on her way to Coachella

22) Christie Monteiro from Tekken

This is just… really blatantly pandering. No shame at all.

21) Felicia (Marvel Vs. Capcom version)

This is probably the basis of 50% of all Comic Con costumes.

20) Lulu from Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy has pioneered the existential angst + gratuitous TnA school of storytelling.

19) The Cimmerian Woman from Age of Conan

Q: Conan, what is best in life?

A: To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. To holy crap how could anyone sword fight in that?

18) Bloodrayne

I can’t help but think Bloodrayne is looking you in the eye and saying ‘my blades are up here idiots!”

17) Rachel from Ninja Gaiden

I really wish they hadn’t let John Millius consult on the Ninja Gaiden series.

16) Lady from Devil May Cry

You think this game is about vampires, but she’s wondering what, exactly, is the matrix?

15) The Everquest Cover Elf

F2P is l33t for ‘NSFW’.

14) Kasumi from Dead or Alive

Dead or Alive (to Tekken): you see, the problem is that you haven’t really considered how little clothing is needed in life or death combat.

Tekken: What’s ‘clothing’?

13) Lei-Fang from Dead or Alive

Dead Or Alive (to Tekken): See what we mean?

Tekken: oh I see. Volleyball really is the most dangerous game.

12) Asari Dancer in Mass Effect

Apparently, in the future gentleman’s clubs still don’t feature readings of Hume.

11) Morrigan (Marvel Vs. Capcom version)

This is the other 50% of all Comic Con costumes.

10) Miranda from Mass Effect 2

I promise this is saved by context. Miranda is doing it on purpose.

09) Tifa from Final Fantasy VII

Tifa is the existential crisis version of Lara Croft. The only thing desperate devs love more than redheads is clinical depression.

08) Isabela from Dragon Age 2

Isabela is actually an exceptionally well written character. But her designer really needs to check out non augmented bodies from time to time. Because those… aren’t breasts.

07) Shura from Soulcalibur 4

It’s not difficult to be the most practically-dressed female character in a Soulcalibur game.

06) Samus Aran (Modern version)

And once again, we have a ridiculously form-fitting jumpsuit. Thing is, it isn’t even necessary. We’re more interested in unlocking the Wave Beam.

05) Mai Shiranui from Fatal Fury and King of Fighters

Sometimes you can only marvel at design decisions. “How much support and protection does this offer?” “None.” “Excellent. Now could you rastafy her by 30%?”

04) Anne from Jurassic Park: Tresspasser

You’d think it wouldn’t be possible to shoehorn gratuitous breasts onto the playable character in a FPS. You’d be wrong. We can’t cure cancer but by god we’re going to put boobs into a genre that normally won’t let you see shoes. Our civilization will last forever.

03) Jade from Mortal Kombat

This is an example of the Mortal Kombat team showing restraint.

02) Yangus from Dragon Quest

You have to admit: 30+ years of boobs R&D have made spectacular manboobs possible.

01) The Brood Mother from Dragon Age: Origins

These are the greatest boobs ever put into a game ever. And no, you cannot have my brain bleach. I just drank all of it.

Hold onto your hats everyone. We have a Nintendo rumor that’s as mesmerizing as it is devoid of actual details. Earlier this morning, Techtroid reported that they’ve spoken to a ‘retail source’, and said source claims we’re going to get a look at a new Nintendo game franchise very soon:

A new IP [is] rumoured to launch with Nintendo’s next console. The aforementioned IP is said to look “visually beautiful”, with the retailer adding that “you’ll see what we mean at E3.”

That is basically all the details Techtroid has for us. We don’t even know who the retail source is (and for all we know, that source is making it all up). Nintendo has a now-lengthy history of failing to support the launch of a new console with adequate software. Take the lack of high quality games at the launch of 3Ds for instance. Then again, it is confirmed that Nintendo will be debuting their new console at E3 2011. With news that they might even be gunning for a Q1 2012 release, it would be insane to debut the new console without anything to actually play on it. A new franchise would be just the thing to show off its capabilities and show they’re serious about it.

Of course, ‘new ip’ could mean anything. Wii Sports was new IP that shipped with Wii. While we agree it’s a ton of fun, does anyone rank it up there with Mario, Zelda, Metroid or even Pikmin? That sound you hear is the sound of people nervously admitting they don’t really use their Wii very often. Some unsolicited advice for Nintendo: Not just new IP guys; you absolutely, positively have to launch the new console with a top tier, a-list franchise. We’re talking a Mario, Zelda or Metroid level game on day one. Failure to do this proves you’re just going to dick everyone around with gimmicks the way you did with Wii. Wii’s cheapness made up for the fact that it doesn’t support HD and most of the games kind of suck unless you’re drunk with friends. You’re not going to get a pass if you pull that kind of BS with a system that costs $400.00.

We’ll be spending a lot of quality time with Nintendo at E3, and rest assured you’ll know as soon as we do if the new system has any promise. In the meantime, we’ll keep our eyes open for more news about this supposed new IP.